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| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Action | Nerve |
| Superficial Posterior Neck |
| trapezius | external occipital protuberance (EOP); medial side of superior nuchal line; nuchal ligament; SPs of C7-T12 | lateral 1/3 of clavicle; acromion; spine of scapula | stabilization of scapula; elevation scapula; upward rotation of scapula (upper fibers); downward rotation of scapula (lower fibers); retraction (adduction) of scapula; lateral flexion of head (unilateral); extension of head (bilateral) | spinal accessory (CN XI), ventral rami of C2-C4 |
| splenius capitis | nuchal ligament (lower portion); SPs of C3-T4 | mastoid process of temporal bone, occipital bone (superior nuchal line) | bilateral contraction: extension of head & neck; unilateral contraction: rotation & lateral flexion of head & neck to ipsilateral side | cervical spinal nerves (dorsal rami) |
| splenius cervicis | SPs of T3-T6 | TP of C1-C3 (posterior tubercles) | bilateral contraction: extension of head & neck; unilateral contraction: rotation & lateral flexion of head & neck to ipsilateral side | cervical spinal nerve (dorsal rami) |
| levator scapulae | TP of C1-C4 | superior medial border of scapula | elevation of scapula; extension & lateral flexion of neck | dorsal scapular nerve (C3, C4, C5) |
| Suboccipitals |
| obliquus capitis inferior | SP of axis (C2) | TP of atlas (C1) | rotation of head to ipsilateral side | suboccipital nerve (dorsal rami C1) |
| obliquus capitis superior | TP of atlas (C1) | between superior & inferior nuchal line of occiput | bilateral: extension of head; unilateral: lateral flexion of head to ipsilateral side | suboccipital nerve (dorsal rami C1) |
| rectus capitis posterior major | SP of axis (C2) | lateral 1/2 inferior nuchal line (occipital bone) | bilateral: extension of head; unilateral: lateral flexion & rotation of head to contracted side | suboccipital nerve (dorsal rami C1) |
| rectus capitis posterior minor | posterior tubercle of atlas (C1) | medial 1/2 of inferior nuchal line (occipital bone) | bilaterally extends head | suboccipital nerve (dorsal rami C1) |